Trajan's Column was erected by the Senate in 113AD to commemorate Emperor Trajan's campaigns against the Dacians
(modern day Romania)
An inscription above the door at the base records that the height of the column corresponded to the height of the hill which it replaced.
A statue of Emperor Trajan originally stood on the top but this was replaced in the 16th century by a statue of St Peter
The column is made up of 19 drums of Italian marble covered in reliefs. These scenes tell us so much about the Roman army, for example, you can see that the helmets have small rings on top so that they could be hung from a cord over the shoulder when they were not worn.
A good way to see models of the drums up close is at the Museum of Roman Civilization in EUR district but at the moment this is closed for refurbishment.
Of course, if you are in London, the Victoria & Albert museum also has a plaster cast reproduction of the column, located in the Cast Courts.
Alternativey check out this National Geographic site which gives an overview of the carvings on the column.
If you visit the Illuminated Forum of Caesar during the summer months, you can get a great close up view of the beautifully lit column.
Finally, a good place to eat with a great view of the column is Terre e Domus (formally Enoteca Provincia Romana). The ingredients for the traditional Roman dishes are all sourced locally and the project is managed by a social co-operative.
